Page 31 of Dating the DILF
“Then I think that’s all I need to know.” Her voice leaves no room for argument, which is good because I have no interest in fighting her.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Shannon’s voice is droll.
“I told Charlie the basics, the important stuff,” I answer defensively.
“No, you told her what you wanted her to know.”
“The other stuff isn’t true—oomph.” Lulu body-slams onto my lap, her head narrowly missing my junk.
“Daddy.” She peeks up at me and for a moment she looks so much like Renee it shocks me. Then I blink and it’s gone.
“What’s up, Lu?”
“Can she come to the pengwins with us?” Her little hand reaches out to snatch a strawberry from the fruit platter Shannon put out for all of us, and she shoves it in her mouth.
“Chew with your mouth closed, please.” I wait for her to finish. “Can who come with us?”
“Charlie.Jesus.” The contrast between the harsh cuss and her childish voice is jarring and she rolls her eyes at me like she’s a sixteen-year-old trapped in a two-year-old body.
“Language, Tallulah,” I chastise her, doing my best to ignore Camden and Shannon, who are trying to hold in their laughter.
“Can she?” Lulu ignores my reprimand.
“I don’t think so, kid, Charlie has to work today.”
She groans loudly and dramatically and, not for the first time, I pray for future me.
“You like her, huh?”
“I like her bracelet.” She tilts her head to the side. “She has pretty hair.”
I lift her up to sit on my lap properly and agree. “Yeah, she does.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Cam making a gagging gesture and take great satisfaction when Shannon slaps him across the stomach and he doubles over.
“I’ll ask her. If she finishes work in time, shemightbe able to join us, but no promises, okay?”
“’Kay.” She jumps off my lap and races back to join Tyson and Brianna, who are now inside, engrossed in an episode ofDora the Explorer.
“I can’t believe she already met Lulu. You never let the women you’re dating meet her.” Camden leans down and grabs a chunk of pineapple, while Shannon nods in agreement.
“I mean it wasn’t planned, but I’m glad it happened. I’m pretty sure the kid thing freaked her out a bit, but I really think that night helped ease her mind.”
“Miles, you need to tell her the whole truth about the show,” Shannon presses. “I think it’s great that you’ve met someone you feel so strongly about, but if you want things to keep going well you need to be completely honest.” She leans forward, concern etched on her face. “I know it’s all bullshit, but if she finds out and you’re not the one to tell her, she’s going to want to know why. More likely than not, she’s going to jump to the conclusion that there’s some truth to it.”
I know she’s right. The idea of reliving that nightmare again is nauseating, but I can’t risk my silence backfiring on me.
“Fine, I’ll tell the next time I see her.”
“Text her now.” Shannon refuses to let it drop. “See if she can go to the aquarium with you guys.”
“You’re impossible, you know that?” I check my watch and see it’s just after midday. We’ll need to leave soon, and I doubt Charlie will be able to get away from work, but it won’t hurt to ask.
Miles: Hey, Chicago. I know your working today but we’re heading to the aquarium and I promised Lulu I’d see if you could come. Consider this your invite?
Charlie: Can’t, working until late.
Charlie: *You’re
